"And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Rachel Meaning in the Bible
Rachel
girl
Rachel means “ewe,” a female sheep, in Hebrew. Genesis introduces her keeping her father’s flock before Jacob works fourteen years to marry her.
Is Rachel in the Bible?
Yes — Rachel appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 29:20.
Pronunciation:/RAY-chul/
OriginHebrew
MeaningEwe; Gentle one
What does Rachel mean?
Rachel is a girl name of Hebrew origin meaning "Ewe; Gentle one". Rachel means "ewe" or "gentle one" in Hebrew, evoking the pastoral imagery of a tender lamb. Rachel was the beloved wife of Jacob, for whom he labored fourteen years — a testament to the depth of his love for her.
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Editor’s reflection
'Ewe' — a shepherd's name for the woman Jacob worked fourteen years to marry.
Rachel (רָחֵל, Rachel) means 'ewe,' a female sheep. It is a pastoral name in the plainest sense, and Genesis introduces her doing pastoral work: 'Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them' (Genesis 29:9). Jacob's first act on meeting her is to roll the stone from the well's mouth and water her flock.
The verse that made the name famous is Genesis 29:20: 'And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.' Laban then substitutes Leah on the wedding night, and Jacob works seven more. The narrative is unusually candid about the misery that followed for both sisters — Leah unloved and fertile, Rachel loved and barren, each envying the other.
Her death in childbirth on the road to Ephrath is one of the most affecting scenes in Genesis: naming her son Ben-oni, 'son of my sorrow,' while Jacob renames him Benjamin, 'son of the right hand' (Genesis 35:18). Jeremiah later hears her voice across centuries — 'Rahel weeping for her children' (Jeremiah 31:15) — a line Matthew applies to the massacre at Bethlehem.
Rachel peaked in the English-speaking world in the 1980s and 90s and has since eased into gentler territory. It remains one of the very few top-tier girls' names that is entirely unambiguous in spelling, meaning, and pronunciation across English, French, and Hebrew.
“And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.”
Why parents choose Rachel today
- •One of the four matriarchs of Israel
- •Meaning 'ewe' — a genuinely pastoral, shepherd's name
- •Attached to the Bible's best-known account of patient love
- •Stable spelling and pronunciation across several languages
What does Rachel mean in the Bible?
Rachel means "Ewe; Gentle one" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Rachel means "ewe" or "gentle one" in Hebrew, evoking the pastoral imagery of a tender lamb. Rachel was the beloved wife of Jacob, for whom he labored fourteen years — a testament to the depth of his love for her.
Rachel's story is one of love, longing, and heartbreak. After years of barrenness while her sister Leah bore many children, Rachel finally gave birth to Joseph, who would become one of the most important figures in the Old Testament. She later died giving birth to Benjamin.
Rachel's tears are referenced prophetically in Jeremiah 31:15 and quoted in Matthew 2:18 regarding the slaughter of innocents by Herod. Her name evokes both tender love and the suffering that accompanies life in a fallen world.
Where does Rachel appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Rachel is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Genesis 29:20. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Rachel?
Rachel has 2 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Raquel
Common nicknames
Rae
Who was Rachel in the Bible?
Rachel is most closely associated with the Bible character of the same name. Their story is the reason the name carries the weight it does.
Read About Rachel in the BibleWhich books of the Bible mention Rachel?
Rachel is mentioned across 4 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Rachel?
Rachel's name reminds us of the tenderness and sacrificial nature of love. Her story shows that God sees our deepest longings and responds in His perfect timing.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Rachel:
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Word Meaning
Throne (כִּסֵּא (kisseh))
The seat of royal authority — symbolizing sovereignty, judgment, and divine rule.
Strong's
Strong's H3678 — Throne
כִּסֵּא (kisseh) • The seat of royal authority — symbolizing sovereignty, judgment, and divine rule.
What names are related to Rachel?
Names like Rachel
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Ewe; Gentle one" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Rachel
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Rachel
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Rachel name meaning: frequently asked questions
Jeremiah 31:15 pictures Rachel — buried near Ramah on the road to Bethlehem — weeping over the exile of her descendants. Matthew 2:18 quotes the verse in describing Herod's slaughter of the infants at Bethlehem. In both cases she stands as the mother of Israel mourning children who are gone, and in Jeremiah the lament is immediately followed by a promise of return.
Yes — Rachel appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 29:20.
Rachel means "Ewe; Gentle one." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Genesis 29:20, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Common questions about the name Rachel
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Rachel?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Rachel?
You can read every verse where Rachel appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.